The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is a new EU Regulation that officially came into force on 13 December 2024, replacing the previous General Product Safety Directive. This new legislation introduces enhanced safety requirements for most non-food consumer products sold in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, and Northern Ireland.
If you sell products in these regions via the Fruugo platform, compliance with the GPSR is mandatory. Your products will only remain visible on Fruugo if they meet the regulation’s new standards.
What Is the GPSR?
The General Product Safety Regulation aims to ensure that all consumer products sold within the European market meet the highest safety standards, regardless of where they are manufactured. The GPSR strengthens consumer protection by increasing traceability, transparency, and accountability throughout the supply chain.
Key Requirements for Fruugo Retailers
1. Providing Manufacturer and Responsible Person Details
If you sell products in the EU, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland, you must supply brand or manufacturer contact details for every product.
- If the brand or manufacturer is based outside the EU, you are also required to provide an EU-based representative contact.
- This “Responsible Person” is an individual or business established in the EU (or Northern Ireland) who ensures that your product meets all applicable safety requirements.
Who Can Be a Responsible Person?
Your Responsible Person must be located within the EU or Northern Ireland and can be one of the following:
- A fulfilment service provider (if none of the above are based in the EU or NI).
- The manufacturer;
- An importer-of-record or corporate subsidiary;
- An authorised representative of the manufacturer;
2. Providing Safety and Warning Information
Under the GPSR, it is now mandatory to display safety and warning information for each product on its product page.
- Safety warnings and labels must clearly communicate any potential risks, safe use instructions, and disposal guidance.
- Safety information should be provided at a SKU level (as it is SKU-specific).
Why Safety Information Matters
Safety warnings and labels are crucial for protecting consumers. They help users understand how to safely use, handle, or dispose of a product and identify any associated risks.
As a retailer, it’s your legal responsibility to ensure that safety information is:
- Affixed to the product, packaging, or accompanying documentation; and
- Provided in a language that is easily understood by consumers in the country you are selling or shipping to.
Note: Products will not go live in GPSR countries unless both safety information and Responsible Person details have been correctly provided.
